Conveyor belts are typically used in any industry where the raw materials being moved require a lot of force. As a result, they require an experienced and knowledgeable workforce to keep them running smoothly. A conveyor belt can typically be maintained with cleaning, lubricating, and repairs. There are also certain times when belts need to be replaced altogether. There are different types of conveyor belts, such as a fabric conveyor belt which is an important piece of machinery in a textile mill. It must be taken care of in order to ensure that it keeps operating at its best. Here are some simple tips for maintaining your fabric conveyor belt:-Check the belt every day and check for any damage before starting work-Clean the belt with a steam cleaner if needed.
The main purpose of the conveyor belt is to make work easy. However, without proper maintenance, your conveyor belt will stall or break down. Still more, simple breakdowns can reduce the efficiency of your conveyor belt. Remember, conveyor belts contain specialized and delicate parts. That’s why they require regular maintenance. Here are the tips and tricks you need to make your conveyor belt deliver more results.
Stop Environmental Contamination
Inspect the conveyor regularly. Check out for contamination signs. Is there contamination debris? If so, don’t operate the equipment until you’re done cleaning. Remove all dirt, while paying close attention to the chains and wear strips. These parts can easily become contaminated with abrasive materials. And over time, tiny particles can get embedded in the conveyor belt’s plastic parts. When this happens, excessive friction occurs between the chain and the wear strip. Construction processes like drilling, sanding and grinding produce airborne abrasive dust that can build up on your conveyor belt.
Some of the most common abrasive materials include ceramic dust, medical tablet dust, concrete dust, sand, crumbs, cornmeal, metal chips, wood dust, and product flaking. But the good news is that most of these contaminants can be easily removed using a moist cloth with rubbing alcohol.
Inspect the Chain, Wearstrip
When it comes to conveyor systems, wearstrips are extremely important. The conveyor chain is typically designed with legs that hook around the conveyor belt’s side frame. When the conveyor chain comes into contact with the wearstrip, it generates smooth chain motion, reduced motor load, and minimal chain damage. Thus, special attention should be given to the repair and maintenance of wearstrips.
Carry out regular inspections on the chain for broken links. Damage may occure when heavy items drop on the chain links. If there are any broken links, be sure to replace them immediately.
Drive, Idler, Sideplates Inspection
The drive is an essential component of the conveyor system. This is the part that guides the chain around the side plates. Plus, it carries the load while the chain smoothly travels around the sprockets. Being an important component, the drive must be inspected regularly for excessive wear, as well as improper installation. So, make sure that they’re correctly placed and tightly pressed onto the side plates.
Foreign Object Interference
Foreign objects can cause interference in your conveyor system. Interference can cause excessive wear on the system and broken chain links. Moreover, it can cause severe damage to the idler sprockets, as well as, the conveyor drive. Failure to do this can drag your equipment’s performance. But the good news is that interference can be prevented by simply removing all foreign items from the conveyor. Besides, you may want to consider adjusting the position of all components that could come into contact with the chain.
Check the Engagement of The Chain Slack, Sprocket
With time, the chainrings will experience normal wear as well as elongation. This can make the chain slack to increase ion length. Consequently, this improper slack amount may cause the motor to have excessive current. Still more, this can make the sprockets’ chain jump teeth. To deal with this, adjust the chain slack. This can be done by removing and adding extra rows in the chain links.
Thus, consider checking the chain slack amount. According to experts, the amount should range from three to four links compression. Also, consider checking to see if there is excessive chain slack. Make sure that there is no contact or engagement (i.e. with the chain links) of the sprocket teeth
Lubricate and Inspect the Lubricator
When it comes to accumulation conveyors, lubrication is everything. With lubrication, you avoid wear and tear. Still more, it improves the efficiency of the conveyor belt. Use the right lubricants. Purchase your lubricant from the right supplier. Erasure that the lubricant you use is specifically meant for the conveyor system. Here are a few tips when it comes to lubricating your conveyor system.
Consider Adjusting Weastrip Lubricators
The lubricator reservoir should be checked regularly. If there are no lubricants in these reservoirs, fill them. Follow the insurrections from the manufacturer when adding the lubricants. Don’t over-add or under-add the lubricants. Add the right amount if you want the best results.
Manual Lubrication of The Wearstrips
Silicon oil cannot be used, especially if your product comes into contact with oil. Removing silicon from products isn’t that easy. It’s very difficult.
Powered Roller Transfers– Ensure that the oil levels in the sigh glasses of your Transfer chassis are inspected. If the lubricant isn’t enough, fill it to the required level.
Gearmotor Lubrication—Don’t forget to check the levels of lubricant in the gearboxes. Follow the laid-out guidelines when adding lubricants to the gearboxes. Lubricants in the gearboxes allow the gears to move freely, which eliminates gear locking and other costly problems.
Measure the Motor Current
In most cases, conveyor belts 3-phase AC drive-based motors. That’s why you should always pay close attention to the amount of current in these motors. Thus, consider measuring and recoding the current requirements for these motors. From here, check the value on the specification plate. Compare these values. Have a daily and record these specifications. Keeping a log of these parameters will help you spot issues, especially when there is a large deviation. Remember, a large deviation means that the conveyor belt is operating optimally.
Use the Conveyor System for The Right Purpose
Use the conveyor belt for the right purpose. Using it to undertake extreme tasks can make it wear quickly. Stick to the recommended weight. Overloading it can make parts of your conveyor system wear quickly. This can also reduce its efficiency. Remember, motors and gears in the conveyor belt are very sensitive. Overloading can easily break them.
The Bottom-line
Do you want your conveyor belt top stall? Would you like it to consume a lot of energy? What if some parts break because of improper maintenance? These are the things you don’t want, right? Well, think about employing the above tips and tricks and make your conveyor belt more efficient.